Site Administrator

American Maple Museum

Site Administrator

Background:

The American Maple Museum in Croghan, NY was founded in 1977 to preserve the history and evolution of the North American maple syrup industry. The Museum is a non-profit organization chartered (Absolute Charter) by the NY State Board of Regents and is recognized by the North American Maple Syrup Council and the International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI).

Those who founded this institution set out to collect the tools and equipment used to make maple sugar and syrup, from the earliest times to the present. The core groups were, and still are, from Lewis County but several others from across the maple region also joined in creating this repository of artifacts and written documents.

At the museum's annual opening ceremonies in May, two people, selected by the North American Maple Syrup Council through a committee of former inductees, are inducted into the American Maple Hall of Fame. Members in this select group are from both the U.S. and Canada. The Museum is the international home of the American Maple Hall of Fame.

The former Leo Memorial School was acquired in 1980 through a generous gift from Robert and Florence Lamb and today is the Home of the American Maple Museum. The Lambs also contributed much of their personal collection of antique syrup making equipment, logging tools and antiques to the museum. Other artifacts have been gathered from maple syrup regions across the U.S. and Canada.

Management and work at the museum has largely been undertaken by the all-volunteer Board of Directors. Now as the organization looks forward to celebrating its 40th anniversary it is charting a course of long-term sustainability and enhanced public service and education. The Board is committed to enhancing the American Maple Museum’s professionalism and securing its financial future. It seeks an energetic and communicative Site Administrator to strengthen the museum’s educational goals and operations. This is a hands-on position for the museum’s only staff member.

Position Description:

 The Site Administrator is the focal point for the museum’s interface with the public and is the initial contact and exhibit interpreter for visitors. Together with the Museums Board, the Site Administrator is also the primary contact for the media and public relations and shall develop and implement innovative ways of marketing the museum to the public and increasing visitor attendance.  The Site Administrator has overall responsibility for managing the site on a daily basis and its operations including the maintenance of exhibit and all facilities. The candidate will be required to do some custodial duties including cleaning and mowing lawns. Candidate should have the ability to lift at least 40 pounds.

 The Site Administrator runs the Museum Gift Shop which sells gifts, maple promotional materials and maple products, arranges shop displays and merchandise, handles money, credit cards and helps visitors to the museum.  The site Administrator will be responsible along with the Museum’s board for continuing to develop and maintain the membership campaign.

 The Site Administrator shall help develop, maintain and coordinate a strong volunteer staff drawn from the Museum Directors and Members to help carry out functions and maintenance. Volunteer support has been essential to development of all aspects of the Museum and volunteers dedicated to helping the Site Administrator will be essential to carrying out the Site Administrators responsibilities.

 The Site Administrator will be responsible for developing, along with the Museum’s board, programs to increase the number of visitors to the Museum and the Gift Shop

Skills and Specifications

 The candidate should have the excellent organizational and managerial skills with an ability to work independently and set daily work objectives.  The candidate should have good mathematic and accounting skills as he or she will have to manage the Museum Store and visitor attendance charges and records.  The candidate must have the skills of strong interpersonal, diplomatic skills which is required for the job in regards to interacting with the public, volunteers and the Museum Board.  Knowledge of the maple industry is desirable.

Salary and Hours:

 The starting salary for the Site Administrator depends on experience and qualifications.  The hours & times for the Museum Site Administrator are: o IMSI Luncheon & Meeting - the day before opening day in May - 10:00-4:00 o Opening day - the third Saturday in May, from 7:00 to 4:00 (Or until done) o Starting with Memorial Day weekend through June 30th: Friday, Saturday and Monday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (15 hours per week) o July 1st through August 31st: Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (30 hours per week) o September 1st though September 30th: Friday, Saturday and Monday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (15 hours per week) o There are also other special events that we would want them to be there for, such as the Ice Cream Social, any other Pancake breakfasts, and Christmas in Croghan.  Given the Board’s desire to see strong growth in the Museum there is good potential for more hours and growth within the position as growth targets are achieved.